Newsletter for December 18th, 2022
From Pastor Chris Platteel
Greetings Safe Haven Family:
I thank the Lord for the invitation and privilege of preaching at Safe Haven these past weeks, and look forward to worshipping with you on the coming 4th Sunday in Advent and celebrating The Lord's Supper together.
Also, anticipating our Christmas 'Eve' service next week Friday, and the celebration of Christmas Day with family and friends. I pray that the Lord will richly bless and enrich our relationships with one another.
Some thoughts as we venture into the last days of preparing for Christmas, centre on "Fear". One of the most common commands in the Bible is "Fear Not". Whether we label it "panic", "fear", "anxiety" or "concern", our lives seem to be saturated with fear. Fear of the flu, RSV or Covid, fear of driving in winter weather, fear of meeting financial challenges, fear of finding work, fear of getting to appointments on time, fear of getting along with others, fear of getting enough food to eat, fear of not getting a high enough mark on the last test, fear of being liked by others.
And yet, the Lord tries to reassure us with a simple "Fear Not". Why can't we be like a baby, well-fed and warm, snuggling in the Mother's arms? Or, the youngster in Psalm 131 - content and secure. What needs to happen for us to calm our fears?
It's not that we don't have enough faith, but perhaps, that we don't have enough trust - in God's faithfulness. How can we, in this season of Christmas, facing a New Year, learn to simply Trust in Jesus? ... in everything, to Trust in the Lord who came to be WITH US.
In His Grace, Chris Platteel
Message from the Elders:
We have some GREAT NEWS to share with you. Pastor Chris has become a most blessed mainstay (praise the Lord) for our Safe Haven Church and its family, and as such has agreed to stay with us until the end of April preaching twice per month. The other Sundays would be covered by Alex and others. AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS!
Communion:
This Sunday (being our last Sunday meeting till the New Year), we will be celebrating The Lord's Supper. We will be live-streaming this part of our service similar to last month. For those participating from home, we recommend that you have a piece of bread or cracker plus a drink of juice nearby.
His Word:
Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not be faint."
Ah, to fly like an eagle! All things are possible through God. If we allow ourselves to be faithful, we can understand a little bit more how God sees the world. He created all things, and if we continue our faith journey, we will understand what He knows and sees when we join Him in heaven. We must steadfastly believe.
RightNow media:
Safe Haven Church has a wonderful resource available for Christian Videos and more on-line. You can view these videos at your convenience, plus they are acceptable to all age groups. There is one in particular that we recommend, "Worship in the Word: Christmas" by Shane and Shane.
If you find a particular video from RightNow Media you would like to share, please advise Sid or an Elder and we will post your recommendation for others to enjoy.
Christmas Service:
We are pleased to announce that Friday December 23rd at 7:00pm will be SHCC's Christmas Service and Celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ's Birth. One of the holiest days for Christians worldwide! Please join us at the St. Francis Centre and bring your friends, neighbours and relatives, all are welcome!
Christmas Card Distribution:
Once again this year we are able to provide the sorting and distribution of Christmas cards for our church family! Just drop off your cards at 82 Church St. S. or at the St. Francis Centre, and pick up any cards addressed to you.
Postage Stamps:
I was reminded this week of a fundraiser that has been going on for some time, but have forgotten its importance. Our very own Leona Slomka (Missions Deacon), has been collecting postage stamps for the Canadian Bible Society. If you could bring in your sent stamps with about a 1/4 inch border of paper surrounding the stamp, these will be given to this worthwhile charity. You can bring these to church and give them to Leona, or in her absence give them to Sid. During this holiday season, this is a perfect time to start collecting.
Christmas Office Hours:
Monday Dec 26th - Boxing Day CLOSED
Tuesday & Wednesday Dec. 27th and 28th - CLOSED
There will be NO SUNDAY MORNING Services on December 25th or January 1st.
The office will be OPEN on Thursday Dec. 29th from 9:30am to 3:30pm and Friday Dec. 30th from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
The office will reopen on Tuesday January 3rd @ 9:30am and resume normal days and hours.
Any 2022 year-end donations can be dropped off at 82 Church St. S. inside and to the left of the door in the big white mailbox at any time.
Birthdays
Week of December 11th through 18th, 2022
December 13th - Kassandra Loney
December 15th - Bernard Chung
If you would like to have your name represented in our birthday announcements or if you do not want your name shown, please contact Sid at sid.snider@outlook.com. we do not need the year you were born.
Fundraising
Unfortunately, I do not have an update on the coin fundraiser but rest assured your spare change is making a difference in offsetting our expenses! Thank you for your participation now, and in the future.
Wednesday Night Services
Beginning in the New Year we are returning back to our Wednesday evening services. It will be time for everyone to come together to pray and worship. This will be a time to pray together or on one's own, worship and meet the Lord and His Holy Spirit. Please join us on Wednesday evenings.
Neighbourhood Activities
Many of our neighboring churches and art studios are providing Christmas videos and plays. Below is one:
Many have travelled to Lancaster PA to see live productions -
Sight and Sound Theatres are providing one such production at
www.iheardthebellsmovie.com
The Lighter Side
Canada's weather is SNOW joke.
Children & Youth Update
Youth & Sunday School:
Thank you to all for your practicing this last week! We have more practices coming up, as we get ready for our show on Friday!
YOUTH
We have lots to do everyone!!!! Please try and make it out this Friday at 7pm. We will be practicing our skit and doing some major baking. A reminder as well, that this is the last week for the youth this holiday season.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please come out to Sunday School as we prepare for what we will perform on December 23rd. It will be great!!
Alex Mitton
Financial Update
Financial Update for December 11th:
General Offering: $6,689.39 / Building Fund Offering: $90
Weekly Budget need: $7,260 / YTD General Offering need: $355,720
YTD General Offering: $271,614
YTD Building Fund Donations: $37,314
Building Update
There are no changes to the budget for the new building. We are continuing to work hard with the Town of Ajax, together with our General Contractor to secure the necessary permits. There are still many hurdles to overcome, yet with God and your prayers we can fulfill these obligations.
Total estimate needed to finish: $538,720
Building Fund balance: $231,269.54
Final amount needed to finish the building: $303,720
We are updating our budget to reflect this, so please pray for how you can support this while we still need to support the ongoing ministry expenses. We are considering borrowing options as a last resort, however, if you have assets to lend that will help us complete the project, please talk to someone on the Finance Committee.
Doug Hill
Care Groups: Physical & Virtual Options
Although some may not be ready for physical interaction with others, "Care Groups" are a wonderful way to have either physical or virtual options to interact with God's Word.
As a congregation, we desire a wholistic, intentional care for one another. In order to provide intimate, intentional regular care for one another, we have created several “Care Groups” for everyone to get involved in. The purpose of these groups will be to connect regularly and share together, pray together and study the Bible together. If you aren't yet part of a Care Group joining is easy. When people do, they wonder why they did not do so sooner. Let us not remain where we are, wander off the path, or head in the wrong direction. Let us be clear to follow the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, for no one gets to the Father, but by Him (John 14:6). Our goal is to have everyone be a part of a Care Group. Be a blessing and be blessed!
CLICK HERE TO CHOOSE WHICH CARE GROUP YOU WANT TO JOIN
Volunteer Opportunities
Progressing through the implementation of our building program, there are a lot of pieces needed to come together for us to move forward in the next phases of our ministry together. Everyone has something that God has equipped them to serve with. Our ability to serve one another and welcome guests to our ministry, depends on people willing to use their gifts and talents in the service of others. Please click the picture above or link below, and help make Safe Haven a place that truly ministers to the needs of our people and reaches out with Christ's love for others!
Our Daily Bread
The NEW December 2022-February 2023 Our Daily Bread small print devotionals are now available for pick up.
The NEW large print devotionals are here for January-March 2023.
Stop by Safe Haven anytime during the day (Monday to Friday) to get a copy, or pick one up when you come for worship on Sunday.
Tabletalk Online & Print Devotional
Tabletalk is a monthly discipleship magazine written by today’s leading theologians and pastors to help Christians grow in the knowledge of God. Daily devotionals make up over half of the content and typically exposit a book of the Bible or a specific topic over the course of the year. A third of the content is themed, dealing with a particular issue, and the rest consists of featured columns addressing a variety of issues ranging from theology to Christian living. The print version is digest-size, formatted to fit neatly into most Bibles and notebooks. Tabletalk, along with fresh online-exclusive content, is also available at TabletalkMagazine.com.
Safe Haven App & Digital Community
Join for free by clicking here. You can also download the Faithlife App and have access to everything through the app. If you have any problems, contact us so we can help you get started.
Volunteers at your Service:
Elders:
Roy Smyth
Walter Vanderknokke (Treasurer)
Carlos Mejia
Building Committee:
Doug Hill
Roy Smyth
Edna Hayes
Maria Javor
Finance Committee:
Trevor Hayes
Walter Vanderknokke
Sandra Phillips
Social Committee:
Edna & Bert Hayes
Maria & Jozef Javor
Doreen & Trevor Hayes
Jennifer & Roy Smyth
Janet & Doug Hill
Missions:
Leona Slomka
Newsletter:
Sid Snider (sid.snider@outlook.com)
